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Water Baby: An uplifting coming-of-age story from the author of Bitter Leaf

Chioma Okereke

10 Reviews

Rated 0

Nigeria, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Adult & contemporary romance

A beautiful coming-of-age story based on the real settlement of Makoko in Nigeria. Perfect for readers of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

'Rare is the book that enlightens as much as it entertains. Beautifully imagined and full of characters to love' EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters

'A compelling and powerful novel' CHERIE JONES, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

'An adventurous and insightful read' ROSANNA AMAKA, author of The Book of Echoes

She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.

In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.

With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.

Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.

But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?

'A moving story of loss, love, community, and dreams' CHIKA UNIGWE, author of The Middle Daughter

'A brilliant evocative read. In Okereke's hands, Makoko is a world full of heart and beauty' IRENOSEN OKOJIE, author of Nudibranch

'One of those rare books that takes you somewhere utterly unfamiliar and makes you feel instantly at home. A delight' SIMON TOYNE, author of
Sanctus

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Praise for Water Baby: An uplifting coming-of-age story from the author of Bitter Leaf

  • Water Baby explores the meaning of home and community in a rich, resonant story which dissects the harsh realities of life in Makoko with hope, compassion and clear affection. A compelling and powerful novel - Cherie Jones, author of HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSE

  • Water Baby is one of those rare books that takes you somewhere utterly unfamiliar and makes you feel instantly at home. A delight from page one; it's funny, intriguing, vibrant, and beautifully written. You can almost smell the black waters of the Lagos lagoon beneath the floating settlement of Makoko. It's all so vivid, you'll feel like you've been there! - Simon Toyne, author of Sanctus

  • An adventurous and insightful read. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Makoko, their powerful spirit and resilience to overcome the challenges of their daily lives and Water Baby's loyalty to her community. It reminds us all that when opportunity is given change can be made from the most unlikely source - Rosanna Amaka, author of The Book of Echoes

  • In gorgeous, startling prose, Okereke gives us a moving story of loss, love, community, and dreams. Okereke writes her characters with so much heart that we feel that these are people we know as intimately as they know themselves. - Chika Unigwe, author of THE MIDDLE DAUGHTER

  • From the deep, dark lagoon of the Makoko slum where canoe boats steer through dirt and debris to the gentle blue lakes of Switzerland, water is at the heart of this beguiling novel.

  • Chioma Okereke has crafted a dynamic, memorable narrator in Yemoja, who sees herself as one pinprick on a map but whose youthful energy and curiosity lifts her on a wave towards new experiences.

  • A captivating, surprising, beautifully structured narrative about grief and loss, but also strength, joy and the value of friendship - Gemma Seltzer, author of WAYS OF LIVING

  • Such a beautifully written novel, full of vibrant imagery and characters who leap off the page. I loved going on Baby's journey with her. This book serves as a reminder that often what we dream of is right in front of us - Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS

  • Such a beautifully written novel, full of vibrant imagery and characters who leap off the page. I loved going on Baby's journey with her. This book serves as a reminder that often what we dream of is right in front of us - Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS

  • A brilliant evocative read. In Okereke's hands, Makoko is a world full of heart and beauty - Irenosen Okojie. author of BUTTERFLY FISH

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